Houseboat assembly

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a houseboat assembly formed from a cabin assembly secured to a hull assembly. In some version of the houseboat assembly, one or both of the cabin assembly and the hull assembly may be formed in accordance with a boat type and/or a floor plan. The boat type and/or floor plan may be selected by a customer. The cabin assembly may be formed at a first location and the hull assembly may be formed at a second location. The cabin assembly and hull assembly may then be transported to a third location. At the third location, the cabin assembly may be secured to the hull assembly to form the cabin assembly at the third location. The third location may be requested or specified by the customer.

BACKGROUND

When purchasing a conventional houseboat, the purchaser must select ahouseboat with a configuration pre-determined by the manufacturer andwith no direct input from the purchaser. In some instances, it may bedesirable to allow a user to select a particular floorplan for ahouseboat cabin assembly from a variety of floorplans, and thereafterconnect the selected cabin assembly to a hull to form a houseboat.

Conventional houseboats must be transported over highways and otherroadways which require permits and special trucking measures. It mayalso be desirable to build or manufacture the cabin assembly at a firstlocation, manufacture the hull at a second location, and thereafterassemble the houseboat at a third location. The third location may beproximate the particular body of water where the user desires to use thehouseboat. Conventional houseboats are assembled into one structure, andthereafter transported to a body of water and launched. In someinstances, it may be desirable to allow the cabin assembly to be loweredonto the hull while the hull is situated on a trailer of a jackingsystem. The houseboat may thereafter be assembled by securing the cabinassembly to the hull, and forming the houseboat on the trailer. Thetrailer may then be moved to launch the houseboat into the desired bodyof water by either backing the trailer into the water or pivoting thetrailer to slide the houseboat off and into the water.

Conventional pre-fabricated or pre-manufactured residential houses arenot equipped for marine environments because these structures areconstructed with residential grade materials. Inasmuch as houseboatsencounter marine environments, it may be desirable to manufacture apre-fabricated residential house using marine grade wiring andelectrical components throughout the structure. This structure may thencomprise a cabin assembly and allow a user to secure the cabin assemblyto a hull to form a houseboat. Marine grade wiring and componentsprovide the houseboat with significantly more resistance to adverseenvironmental conditions. Residential windows may provide for morecost-effectively manufacturing a houseboat.

Conventional houseboat hull designs are not conducive to receiving apre-fabricated house thereon. Therefore, in some instances, it may bedesirable to provide a peripheral receiving surface on the hull to matewith a similar surface on a pre-fabricated house configured to be usedas a cabin assembly. The peripheral receiving surface may be stepped orsloped or have a horizontal step for receiving the cabin assemblycombined with an angled step to wick and direct water away from thecabin assembly.

Conventional houseboats provide a flat and solid surface at theuppermost portion of the houseboat. This surface is applied with achemical gel coat material, which typically requires replacement everfew years because of the intense weather exposure. This chemical gelcoat material wears off over time and enters the marine environmentswhere houseboats are typically stored and used, causing ecologicaldamage. Further, this surface can become slippery to a user and may alsoretain water in divots or puddles formed in the horizontal surface ofthe decking. Therefore, in some instances, it may be desirable toprovide a roof deck having horizontal boards disposed uponcross-members, similar to a residential backyard deck, where thecross-members are secured to the upper surface of the cabin assemblyroof instead of posts in the ground. Inasmuch as the cabin assembly roofis peaked and sloped downward, such a configuration would allow rainwater or spray to run between the horizontal boards, past thecross-members, and off the cabin assembly roof. The usage of horizontalboards eliminates the need to apply a chemical gel coat material on theuppermost surface of the houseboat. In some instances, composite deckingor other residential decking may be used for the boards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the presentinvention will be better understood from the following description ofcertain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary houseboat assembly ina marine environment;

FIG. 2 depicts a diagrammatical view of an exemplary graphical interfacefor use in selecting from a plurality of exemplary boat styles tofacilitate customizing the manufacturing of a houseboat assembly similarto the houseboat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a diagrammatical view of an exemplary graphical interfacefor use in selecting from a plurality of exemplary floor plans tofacilitate customizing the manufacturing of a houseboat assembly similarto the houseboat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary houseboat assembly similar to thehouseboat assembly of FIG. 1 and being assembled by disposing anexemplary cabin assembly onto an exemplary hull assembly, whereby thehull assembly is resting on an exemplary trailer;

FIG. 5 depicts a diagrammatical view of an exemplary map with locationsof manufacturing element of a houseboat assembly similar to thehouseboat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for an exemplary method for forming ahouseboat assembly similar to the houseboat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connection betweenan exemplary cabin assembly and an exemplary hull assembly similar tothe cabin assembly and the hull assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of another exemplary connectionbetween an exemplary cabin assembly and an exemplary hull assemblysimilar to the cabin assembly and the hull assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary roof area of anotherexemplary cabin assembly, with parts removed to illustrate the peakedroof having exemplary cross-members and exemplary slats disposedthereon;

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of the roof area of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of the roof area of FIG. 10.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it iscontemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carriedout in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depictedin the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming apart of the specification illustrate several aspects of the presentinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention; it being understood, however, that thisinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention shouldnot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples,features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modescontemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptionsshould be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

It will be appreciated that any one or more of the teachings,expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combinedwith any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions,examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-describedteachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not beviewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways inwhich the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the claims.

I. Customization

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, some versions of an exemplary houseboat assembly(1) include a cabin assembly (3) and a hull assembly (5). One or both ofthe cabin assembly (3) and hull assembly (5) may be customized by acustomer prior to manufacturing. As shown in FIG. 2, the customer mayselect a particular pairing of cabin assembly (3) and hull assembly (5)by selecting a selected boat style (7) from a plurality of boat styles(9) via a graphical user interface (11) such as those provided through aweb browser (13) on a computer (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, thecustomer may select a selected floorplan (15) for cabin assembly (3)from a plurality of floorplans (17) via graphical user interface (11) tofurther customize selected boat style (7). Some versions of graphicaluser interface (11) provide functionality for further customizingfeatures of selected floorplan (15) such as by adding, moving, orremoving a wall (21), a stairway (23), or a window (25).

Selected boat style (7) and/or selected floorplan (15) may be selectedby the customer based on personal preference, budget, or other factorsspecific to the customer. Each of the plurality of boat styles (9) andeach of the plurality of floorplans (17) is associated with a particularset of specifications, characteristics, or other features that combineto define cabin assembly (1). Once a customer selects selected boatstyle (7) and/or selected floorplan (15), cabin assembly (3) and/or hullassembly (5) is manufactured in accordance with the specificationsassociated with selected boat style (7) and/or selected floorplan (15)and mated or secured to hull assembly (5) to form houseboat assembly(1).

FIG. 4 depicts houseboat assembly (1) prior to full assembly, wherebycabin assembly (3) is moved in the direction of Arrow (A) and secured tohull assembly (5). Cabin assembly (3) extends from an upper portion (25)to a lower portion (27) and is comprised of a set of generally verticalwalls (29) and a roof (31). Cabin assembly (3) may further include otherresidential features such as one or more windows (32) and a railingassembly (33) extending from roof (31). Cabin assembly (3) furtherincludes a lower surface (35), generally extending around the peripheryof lower portion (27). Windows (32) may be residential windows installedon cabin assembly (3) which represents an efficiency of scale andcost-savings when manufacturing cabin assembly (3).

The positioning of walls (19), the overall footprint or size of cabinassembly (3), the placement of windows (32), and the orientation ofother similar features are in accordance with selected boat style (7)and/or selected floor plan (15). Once selected boat style (7) and/orselected floor plan (15) is selected, cabin assembly (3) is built ormanufactured in accordance with selected boat style (7) and/or selectedfloor plan (15) and walls (19), roof (31), windows (32), and similarfeatures are all positioned and integrated into cabin assembly (3) inaccordance with selected boat style (7) and/or selected floor plan (15).

As shown in FIG. 4, hull assembly (5) generally extends from an upperportion (37) to a lower portion (39) and is comprised of a set of walls(41) cooperating to define an interior pocket (43), as shown in FIG. 6.The set of walls (41) may cooperate to define the shape of hull assembly(5) and may define a flat, rounded, or v-shaped bottom of the hullassembly (5). Hull assembly (5) includes an upper surface (45),generally extending around the periphery of upper portion (37). Hullassembly (5) may be formed from several pieces of material weldedtogether. For example, plates of aluminum may be welded together to formall or part of hull assembly (5).

Selected boat style (7) and selected floorplan (15) are non-limitingexamples of a preference the customer may designate regarding houseboatassembly (1). In some versions of houseboat assembly (1), each boatstyle in plurality of boat style (9) is associated with an externalprofile of houseboat assembly (1). In some version of houseboat assembly(1), each floorplan in plurality of floor plans (17) is associated withan internal profile of houseboat assembly (1). Thus, selected boat style(7) may reflect a preference of the customer regarding an exterior areaof houseboat assembly (1), while selected floorplan (15) may reflect apreference of the customer regarding an internal area of houseboatassembly (1).

II. Manufacturing

In some embodiments of the disclosure, manufacturing of cabin assembly(3) may be accomplished at various facilities spread across a widegeographical area. As such, the customer or the houseboat manufacturermay choose to manufacture cabin assembly (3) at the closest or nearestmanufacturing facility to the customer or to the customer's intendeddestination for the final assembly of houseboat assembly (1).Manufacturing cabin assembly (3) in the same general geographical areaas the customer or the customer's intended destination provides anenormous cost savings and reduction in shipping and transportationcosts. In some versions, hull assembly (5) is generally not customizedand may be manufactured in a standardized shape. Thus, hull assembly (5)can be prebuilt or pre-manufactured and either sent to the selectedmanufacturing facility when houseboat assembly (1) is ordered orpurchased, or the manufacturing facility may periodically receive stockof new hull assemblies (5) for use in future orders for houseboatassembly (1).

As shown in FIG. 5, in some versions of houseboat assembly (1), cabinassembly (3) may be manufactured at a first location (65) while hullassembly (5) may be manufactured at a second location (67). Cabinassembly (3) may thereafter be transported from first location (65) to athird location (69), depicted geographically in FIG. 5 as moving in thedirection of Arrow (B). Similarly, hull assembly (5) may thereafter betransported from second location (67) to third location (69), depictedgeographically in FIG. 5 as moving in the direction of Arrow (C). Onceboth cabin assembly (3) and hull assembly (5) are at third location(69), cabin assembly (3) may be connected to hull assembly (5) to formhouseboat assembly (1) at third location (69). In some versions, thirdlocation (69) is generally located where the customer intends to launchhouseboat assembly (1) and therefore assembled houseboat assembly (1)may be assembled at the launch area and subsequently launched withouthaving to transport the entire assembled houseboat assembly (1) overmajor roads such as interstate highways. The customer may designatethird location (69) as a preference regarding houseboat assembly (1).This preference may be collected through a graphical user interfacesimilar to graphical user interface (11) and web browser similar to webbrowser (13)

Some versions of cabin assembly (3) and/or hull assembly (5) may bemanufactured in such a width and height to allow cabin assembly (3)and/or hull assembly (5) to travel along major roads such as interstatehighways without an “oversized load” permit or other special precautionsfor transportation. Specifically, some versions of cabin assembly (3)and/or hull assembly (5) are restricted to smaller than 9 feet in widthand 14 feet in height once placed upon a trailer. When cabin assembly(3) and hull assembly (5) are manufactured within these tolerances,cabin assembly (3) and/or hull assembly (5) may be transported alongmajor roads without a specialized permit or other precautions.

During or after the assembly and construction of hull assembly (5), hullassembly (5) may be placed onto a specially designed jacking system(47). Jacking system (47) includes a trailer (49) having a hullreceiving section (51) configured to receive hull assembly (5) thereonand selectively hold hull assembly (5) during transportation. Trailer(49) may resemble elements of a cargo trailer or boat trailer, having aset of wheels (53), a hitch (55), a set of bracing beams (57), a vehiclelight (59), a bumper (61), and similar features of trailers. Trailer(49) is coupled with a tractor (63) or towing engine such as acommercial “semi-tractor” for transporting cargo.

Hull assembly (5) is may be manufactured in situ on hull receivingsection (51) of trailer (49) or placed onto hull receiving section (51)of trailer (49) after manufacturing. Trailer (49) and tractor (63) areconnected using hitch (55), whereby tractor (63) is operable totransport trailer (49) and therefore hull assembly (5) to any desiredgeographic location. Once hull assembly (5) is in proximity to cabinassembly (3), cabin assembly (3) is lowered onto hull assembly (5) whilehull assembly (5) remains on hull receiving section (51). As such,trailer (49) is configured to support the weight of both hull assembly(5) and cabin assembly (3). After cabin assembly (3) is placed onto hullassembly (5), the two components are connected and secured together toform houseboat assembly (1) in situ on trailer (49).

Once houseboat assembly (1) is assembled on trailer (49), tractor (63)is operable to drive houseboat assembly (1) to a nearby body of water,potentially bypassing any highways or major roads. As will be discussedbelow, completing the formation of houseboat assembly (1) proximate thedesired body of water allows the customer to bypass any highway permitsor special requirements necessary to transport a large item such as ahouseboat over a highway or major road.

Once tractor (63) transports houseboat assembly (1) to the body ofwater, jacking system 23 is operable to place houseboat assembly (1) inthe body of water, similar to a boat trailer. In some embodiments ofjacking system (47), tractor (63) is used to dispose hull receivingportion (51) in the water, backing trailer (49) into the water until thefloatation qualities of hull assembly (5) allow houseboat assembly (1)to float up and off of hull receiving section (51). In other embodimentsof jacking system (47), the various beams and structural support of hullreceiving section (51) raise up, similar to a dump truck, to pivot hullreceiving section (51) and houseboat assembly (1) into an angledposition and slide houseboat assembly (1) into the water.

As shown in FIG. 6, a method (50) of manufacturing a houseboat assemblysuch as houseboat assembly (1) begins with a step (52). In step (52), acustomer or purchaser of the houseboat assembly selects a particularboat type from a plurality of boat types and/or a floor plan from aplurality of floor plans. Once the user selects the particular floorplan, step (52) moves to a step (54). In step (54), a cabin assembly isconstructed or manufactured in accordance with the particular selectedboat type and/or selected floor plan at a first location. This firstlocation may be the manufacturing facility of a modular home buildingfactory. Thereafter, step (54) moves to a step (56).

In step (56), a hull assembly is constructed or manufactured at a secondlocation. The second location may be a dry dock or a metal fabricationshop. Step (56) thereafter moves to a step (58). In step (58), both thecabin assembly and the hull assembly are transported to a thirdlocation. The third location may be a body of water where the customeris planning on using the houseboat assembly. Inasmuch as the cabinassembly is separate from the hull assembly, each may travel to thethird location along a separate route and with a much lower profile thana fully assembled houseboat assembly. Once the cabin assembly and thehull assembly are located at the third location, step (58) moves to astep (60).

In step (60), the cabin assembly is connected to the hull assembly. Insome versions of method (50), the hull assembly is disposed on a trailerhaving a jacking system for holding the hull assembly. In some versionsof method (50), the cabin assembly is lowered onto the hull assembly bya crane or via a lift mechanism. In other versions of method (50), thecabin assembly is stationary and the trailer with the hull assembly ismoved under the cabin assembly for connecting therewith. Once the cabinassembly is connected with the hull assembly, the cabin assembly issecured thereto and any desired electrical or mechanical connections aremade between the two elements. Thereafter, step (60) proceeds to a step(62).

In step (62), the assembled houseboat assembly is launched into the bodyof water at the third location. In some versions of method (50), thismay be accomplished by tilting the trailer and sliding the houseboatassembly into the water. Or alternatively, in other versions of method(50), the trailer is backed into the water via a boat ramp and thehouseboat assembly is allowed to slide and float off the trailer andinto the water, freeing the houseboat assembly from the trailer andlaunching the houseboat assembly at the third location. After thehouseboat assembly is successfully launched in step (62), method (50)ends.

III. Marine Grade Components

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each light outlet,electrical connection, and other electrical components are wired intovarious circuits using marine grade wiring. Marine grade wiring isspecifically manufactured to withstand harsh marine or nauticalenvironments and is highly resistant to moisture and degradation. Marinegrade wiring is significantly more resistant to adverse conditions thantypical home wiring. In addition to marine grade wiring, someembodiments of the present disclosure include marine grade wireconnectors, terminals, ties, clamps, and other electrical components orwiring accessories. As shown in FIG. 7, an electrical component (64) isconnected to a power supply (66) through a marine grade wire (68).

IV. Runoff Flange

As discussed above, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, thehull is manufactured to provide a generally horizontal receiving surfacearound at least a portion of the periphery of the hull. In someembodiments, the receiving surface is the upper most surface of thehull. The receiving surface is configured to receiving the lower mostsurface of the cabin assembly and facilitate the securing of the cabinassembly to the hull. In an exemplary embodiment of a houseboat of thepresent disclosure, the cabin assembly includes a cabin surface orientedto mate and abut with receiving surface when the cabin assembly isbrought into alignment with the hull. A series of clamps or bolts areused to secure the cabin surface to the receiving surface of the hull.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7-9, lower surface (35) of cabinassembly (3) is sized and oriented to fit against upper surface (45) ofhull assembly (5) and facilitate a secure peripheral abutment betweencabin assembly (3) and hull assembly (5). As shown in FIG. 7, lowersurface (35) is generally horizontally oriented with respect to wall(29) of cabin assembly (3). Similarly, upper surface (45) is generallyhorizontally oriented with respect to wall (41) of hull assembly (5).The two horizontal elements facilitate an abutment which may be securedby any common securing mechanism known in the art, such as a fastenerelement (70), a weld (not shown), or a clamp element (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 8, hull assembly (5) further includes a runoff flange(71) where water from rain or waves is directed away from cabin assembly(3). As water from rain or waves moves in the direction of Arrow (D) dueto gravity, runoff flange (71) directs the water over a runoff surface(73) away from cabin assembly (3) and down walls (41) of hull assembly(5). As shown in FIG. 8, runoff surface (73) may be oriented generallyhorizontally and parallel with upper surface (45) of hull assembly (5).Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, runoff flange (71A) includes anangled runoff surface (73A), extending at an angle from upper surface(45). In the embodiment of hull assembly (5) illustrated in FIG. 9,water from rain or waves travels in the direction of Arrow (D) untilmeeting runoff surface (73A), whereby the water is directed away fromcabin assembly (3) in the direction of Arrow (E) due to gravity.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, runoff flange (71) includes aninner flange (72), an outer flange (74), and a riser (76) extendingtherebetween. Inner flange (72) provides upper surface (45). Riser (76)includes an imaginary longitudinal riser axis (A) extendingtherethrough. Outer flange (74) provides runoff surface (73) andincludes an imaginary longitudinal outer flange axis (B) extendingtherethrough. Riser axis (A) and outer flange axis (B) intersect at anangle (θ₁). In some versions of houseboat assembly (1), angle (θ₁) isgenerally 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 9, outer flange (74A) includes animaginary longitudinal outer flange axis (C), whereby riser axis (A) andouter flange axis (C) intersect at an angle (θ₂). In some versions ofhouseboat assembly (1), angle (θ₂) is generally 45 degrees. In otherversions of houseboat assembly (1), riser axis (A) and outer flange axis(C) may be set at any angle generally between 1 and 90 degrees in orderto direct rain or waves away from inner flange (72) and cabin assembly(3).

V. Roof Deck

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10-12, roof (31) of cabin assembly (3) includesan upper surface (75). A plurality of cross-members (77) are secured toupper surface (75) to provide a horizontal surface for attaching aplurality of deck boards (79) and railing assembly (33). Cross-members(77) are joist-like elements with a flat top surface (81) and an angledlower surface (82) configured to complementarily fit with the pitch ofroof (31). Cross-members (77) are secured to roof (31) using bolts (notshown) or screws (not shown) or any other common fastening element knownin the art. Cross-members (77) are spaced apart to define a set ofcross-member channels (84) therebetween. Cross-member channels (84)allow water to pass between cross-members (77) and onto roof (31) to betransferred away from cabin assembly (3) via gravity interacting withthe pitch of roof (31)

Similarly, deck boards (79) are spaced apart to define a set of deckboard channels (85) therebetween. Deck board channels (85) allow waterto pass between deck boards (79) and into cross-member channels (84) tobe transferred away from cabin assembly (3). Each deck board (79) issecured to top surface (81) of cross-members (77) by a fastener (83).Fastener (83) may be a screw or bolt or any other common fasteningelement known in the art. Deck boards (79) may be a common off-the-shelfboard formed of a wood, plastic, or a composite material. The usage ofdeck boards (79) eliminates the need to apply a chemical gel coatmaterial on the uppermost surface of cabin assembly (3).

VI. Exemplary Combinations

The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in whichthe teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understoodthat the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage ofany claims that may be presented at any time in this application or insubsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. Thefollowing examples are being provided for nothing more than merelyillustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachingsherein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is alsocontemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred toin the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or featuresreferred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitlyindicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor ininterest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in thisapplication or in subsequent filings related to this application thatinclude additional features beyond those referred to below, thoseadditional features shall not be presumed to have been added for anyreason relating to patentability.

Example 1

A houseboat assembly comprising a cabin assembly and a hull assemblysecured to the cabin assembly, wherein the hull assembly includes arunoff flange.

Example 2

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,the runoff flange comprising an inner flange having an upper surface,wherein the upper surface is configured to abut the cabin assembly; anouter flange, wherein the outer flange extends along an imaginarylongitudinal outer flange axis; and a riser extending between the innerflange and the outer flange, wherein the riser extends along animaginary longitudinal riser axis, wherein the riser axis intersects theouter flange axis at an angle.

Example 3

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein the angle is between one and ninety degrees.

Example 4

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein the angle is between thirty and sixty degrees.

Example 5

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein a fastening element extends through the cabin assembly and intothe inner flange to secure the cabin assembly to the hull assembly.

Example 6

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein the cabin assembly includes a power source, an electricalcomponent, and a marine grade wire extending therebetween, wherein themarine grade wire is configured to transmit power from the power sourceto the electrical component.

Example 7

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,the cabin assembly comprising a roof; a plurality of cross-memberssecured to the roof; and a plurality of deck boards secured to thecross-members, wherein each deck board in the plurality of the deckboards are oriented generally horizontally on the cabin assembly.

Example 8

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,further comprising at least one cross-member channel defined between afirst cross-member in the plurality of cross-members and a secondcross-member in the plurality of cross-members.

Example 9

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,further comprising at least one deck board channel defined between afirst deck board in the plurality of deck boards and a second deck boardin the plurality of deck boards.

Example 10

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein each cross-member in the plurality of cross-members include atop surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of eachcross-member in the plurality of cross-members abuts the roof, andwherein each deck board in the plurality of deck boards abut the topsurface.

Example 11

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,further comprising a railing assembly secured to at least one deck boardin the plurality of deck boards.

Example 12

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein at least one deck board in the plurality of deck boards isformed from a composite material.

Example 13

The houseboat assembly of any of the preceding or following Examples,wherein the cabin assembly and the hull assembly are less than nine feetin width.

Example 14

A method of constructing a houseboat assembly, the method comprisingconstructing a cabin assembly; constructing a hull assembly, wherein thehull assembly includes a runoff flange; and securing the cabin assemblyto the hull assembly to form a houseboat assembly.

Example 15

The method of constructing a houseboat assembly of any of the precedingor following Examples, further comprising securing an upper surface ofthe runoff flange to a lower surface of the cabin assembly to secure thecabin assembly to the hull assembly.

Example 16

The method of constructing a houseboat assembly of any of the precedingor following Examples, further comprising forming the runoff flange withan inner flange, an outer flange, and riser extending therebetween.

Example 17

The method of constructing a houseboat assembly of any of the precedingor following Examples, wherein the wherein the outer flange includes animaginary longitudinal outer flange axis, wherein the riser includes animaginary longitudinal riser axis, and wherein the riser axis intersectsthe outer flange axis at an angle.

Example 18

The method of constructing a houseboat assembly of any of the precedingor following Examples, wherein the angle is acute.

Example 19

The method of constructing a houseboat assembly of any of the precedingor following Examples, further comprising: securing a plurality ofcross-members to a roof of the cabin assembly; and securing a pluralityof deck boards in a horizontal orientation to a top surface of each ofthe cross-members.

Example 20

A houseboat assembly comprising: a hull assembly having a runoff flange,the runoff flange comprising: an inner flange, an outer flange, whereinthe outer flange extends along an imaginary longitudinal outer flangeaxis, a riser extending between the inner flange and the outer flange,wherein the riser extends along an imaginary longitudinal riser axis,and wherein the riser axis intersects the outer flange axis at an acuteangle; and a cabin assembly, wherein the cabin assembly is secured tothe inner flange.

Example 21

A method of manufacturing a houseboat assembly for a customer, themethod comprising collecting a preference from a customer; andconstructing a houseboat assembly in accordance with the preference,wherein the houseboat assembly includes a cabin assembly secured to ahull assembly.

Example 22

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, wherein thepreference is a desired location and further comprising securing thecabin assembly to the houseboat assembly at the desired location.

Example 23

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising constructing the cabin assembly at a first location; andtransporting the cabin assembly to the desired location.

Example 24

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, wherein thecabin assembly is less than nine feet in width.

Example 25

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising constructing the hull assembly at a second location; andtransporting the hull assembly to the desired location.

Example 26

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, wherein thepreference is a selected floorplan selected from a plurality offloorplans and further comprising constructing the cabin assembly inaccordance with the selected floorplan.

Example 27

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising allowing the customer to customize the selected floorplan.

Example 28

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising allowing the customer to move an element depicted in theselected floorplan to customize the selected floorplan.

Example 29

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising constructing the houseboat assembly on a trailer.

Example 30

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising providing a graphical user interface to a customer through aweb browser; and collecting the preference through the graphical userinterface.

Example 31

A method of forming a houseboat assembly, the method comprisingselecting a selected boat style from a plurality of boat styles;selecting a selected floorplan from a plurality of floorplans;constructing an exterior profile of a houseboat assembly in accordancewith the selected boat style; and constructing an interior profile ofthe houseboat assembly in accordance with the selected floor plan.

Example 32

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising providing a graphical user interface to a customer; andallowing the customer to select the selected boat style via thegraphical user interface.

Example 33

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising providing a graphical user interface to a customer; andallowing the customer to select the selected floorplan via the graphicaluser interface.

Example 34

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising customizing, by the user, an element of the floorplan.

Example 35

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, wherein thecustomizing includes one of adding, moving, or removing, wherein theelement includes one of a wall, stairway, or window.

Example 36

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, the methodcomprising selecting a selected floorplan from a plurality offloorplans; constructing a cabin assembly in accordance with theselected floor plan; and securing the cabin assembly to a hull assemblyto form a houseboat assembly.

Example 37

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising constructing the cabin assembly at a first location;constructing the hull assembly at one of the first location or a secondlocation; and securing the cabin assembly to the hull assembly at athird location.

Example 38

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising providing a graphical user interface to a customer; andselecting, by the customer, the third location.

Example 39

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, wherein theconstructed cabin assembly is less than nine feet wide, wherein theconstructed hull assembly is less than nine feet wide.

Example 40

The method of any of the preceding or following Examples, furthercomprising securing the cabin assembly to the hull assembly to form thehouseboat assembly while the hull assembly is disposed in a hullreceiving section of a trailer.

VII. Miscellaneous

It should be understood that any of the examples described herein mayinclude various other features in addition to or in lieu of thosedescribed above. By way of example only, any of the examples describedherein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed inany of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings,expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may becombined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions,embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. Theabove-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc.should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of theteachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or otherdisclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to theextent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in thisdisclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure asexplicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting materialincorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, thatis said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts withexisting definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forthherein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arisesbetween that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Having shown and described various versions of the present invention,further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may beaccomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention.Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and otherswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, theexamples, versions, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps,and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered interms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to thedetails of structure and operation shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

I/We claim:
 1. A method of manufacturing a houseboat assembly for acustomer, the method comprising: (a) collecting a preference from acustomer; and (b) constructing a houseboat assembly in accordance withthe preference, wherein the houseboat assembly includes a cabin assemblysecured to a hull assembly.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepreference is a desired location and further comprising securing thecabin assembly to the houseboat assembly at the desired location.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: (a) constructing the cabinassembly at a first location; and (b) transporting the cabin assembly tothe desired location.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cabinassembly is less than nine feet in width.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: (a) constructing the hull assembly at a secondlocation; and (b) transporting the hull assembly to the desiredlocation.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference is a selectedfloorplan selected from a plurality of floorplans and further comprisingconstructing the cabin assembly in accordance with the selectedfloorplan.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising allowing thecustomer to customize the selected floorplan.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising allowing the customer to move an element depicted inthe selected floorplan to customize the selected floorplan.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising constructing the houseboatassembly on a trailer.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:(a) providing a graphical user interface to a customer through a webbrowser; and (b) collecting the preference through the graphical userinterface.
 11. A method of forming a houseboat assembly, the methodcomprising: (a) selecting a selected boat style from a plurality of boatstyles; (b) selecting a selected floorplan from a plurality offloorplans; (c) constructing an exterior profile of a houseboat assemblyin accordance with the selected boat style; and (d) constructing aninterior profile of the houseboat assembly in accordance with theselected floor plan.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: (a)providing a graphical user interface to a customer; and (b) allowing thecustomer to select the selected boat style via the graphical userinterface.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: (a) providinga graphical user interface to a customer; and (b) allowing the customerto select the selected floorplan via the graphical user interface. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising customizing, by the user, anelement of the floorplan.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thecustomizing includes one of adding, moving, or removing, wherein theelement includes one of a wall, stairway, or window.
 16. A method offorming a houseboat assembly, the method comprising: (a) selecting aselected floorplan from a plurality of floorplans; (b) constructing acabin assembly in accordance with the selected floor plan; and (c)securing the cabin assembly to a hull assembly to form a houseboatassembly.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: (a)constructing the cabin assembly at a first location; (b) constructingthe hull assembly at one of the first location or a second location; and(c) securing the cabin assembly to the hull assembly at a thirdlocation.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: (a) providinga graphical user interface to a customer; and (b) selecting, by thecustomer, the third location.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theconstructed cabin assembly is less than nine feet wide, wherein theconstructed hull assembly is less than nine feet wide.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising securing the cabin assembly to the hullassembly to form the houseboat assembly while the hull assembly isdisposed in a hull receiving section of a trailer.